Neighbourly clubs’ boundary blues

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

West Dorset cricket clubs have been closely following developments across the county at Colehill, where a community has come together to raise £35,000 to install safety netting after it was threatened with closure due to neighbours’ complaints.

Some people living near Colehill Cricket Club in Wimborne were becoming increasingly frustrated with sixes landing in their gardens and causing damage, particularly during midweek T20 fixtures.

Faced with rising insurance premiums and potentially being sued by neighbours, the management committee of the site, on which cricket has been played for 118 years, temporarily stopped adult cricket matches from taking place.

The story and campaign attracted plenty of media interest and garnered highprofile support, with England captain Ben Stokes among those voicing his concern over the threat to the game.

Wessex Internet Dorset Cricket League Secretary, Andy Kent, gave us an official perspective: “The situation at Colehill could certainly have set a worrying precedent and I am aware of clubs in West Dorset who have voiced concern. Just before last season the ground management committee wanted to introduce a ‘local rule’ which would have seen a batter given out for hitting over the fence in a particular part of the ground, but as a league we couldn't accept what was effectively a change to the laws of the game. The compromise, which allowed league matches to go ahead there last season, was to award no runs, rather than the normal six, when the ball was hit over the fence in that area, something that can be introduced as a ‘local rule’ and within the laws of the game. That got us through last season and thankfully a more permanent resolution has now been reached and we are pleased that adult cricket can now continue to be played at Colehill.”

Martinstown club president John O’Brien said: “To the untrained eye, you could be forgiven for thinking that our neighbours are livestock and the odd dog-walker but there are two or three houses within striking distance, although you would probably have to be Sir Ian Botham in his prime or an in-form Ben Stokes to trouble the windows.

“We did have a few caravans in the firing line of a straight six for a couple of summers and we quickly got hold of a couple of telegraph poles and erected a safety net just in case. It was a low-cost solution but did the job for us.

“We have always been careful to foster great relationships with the neighbours and if there is any issue, we look to have a constructive dialogue.

“If people move next to a cricket club, then they must know what to expect. They often walk their dogs around the perimeter so we have a good symbiotic relationship to an extent. Situations like the one at Colehill could certainly be a threat to clubs.”

Beaminster First XI captain Chris ‘Jim’ Park lives just beyond the boundary rope his team’s ground in the heart of the village, so is ideally placed to see both sides of the argument. Jim said: “I can’t really understand why you would move close to a cricket pitch and then complain about the odd ball landing in your garden.

“I remember playing at Colehill when I had only just started playing. I recall hitting a couple of sixes onto the pavilion roof and am pretty sure I damaged a couple of slates. Luckily I managed to avoid the houses.” n Beaminster Cricket Club is open to new members with indoor net sessions starting at the Sir John Colfox Academy. Sessions start at 7pm on Thursdays from Thursday, February 23, at a cost of just £3 per person.

Internet provider in three-year sponsorship deal

Dorset-based internet provider

Wessex Internet have announced a three-year partnership with the Dorset Cricket League.

The sponsorship deal, the highest in the league’s history, will benefit clubs across West Dorset and will help to subsidise the cost of equipment to players and umpires.

A total of 76 teams from 40 clubs will compete in the Wessex Internet Dorset Cricket League and the deal also includes sponsorship of the T20 Cup Competitions, the League Representative XI, and the Women’s Leagues within the county. League chairman Peter Constable said: “We are delighted to be forging this partnership, particularly at a time when more and more digital technology is coming into the game at grassroots level.”

Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, said: “We recognise the vital role that local sports clubs play and are delighted to support clubs across the county.”